The case, of course, duly came on to be tried, and the Attorney-General suggested that at that time, in nine cases out of every ten, the tubs of smuggled spirits were not brought directly to port but sunk at different places in the sea, located by landmarks and buoys, fishing-boats being sent out later on to get them by these creepers, and to bring them in by small quantities as opportunity permitted.  Palmer’s defence was that they had found the tubs just outside Harwich harbour, opposite to Landguard Fort, at about seven o’clock the previous evening.  But it was a somewhat strange fact that though this fishing-vessel should have been out all night not a single fish was found on board.  And when Palmer was asked how it was that if he had found these tubs, and had intended to hand them over to the Customs authorities, he had been so careful to stow them all below and not leave them on deck to be visible to the Griper and Badger as he passed?  His reply, that he had put the tubs below lest a puff of wind might blow them overboard, somehow did not convince the judge, and the verdict went against him.

A curious instance of an abuse of office was seen in the occurrence which centred round a certain Mr. Thomas Moore Slade.  Mr. Slade was Agent Victualler for the Chatham Victualling Office, and from his connection with that department he had the power of employing some of his Majesty’s vessels belonging to the department.  This gentleman got to know that a splendid collection of pictures was about to be dispersed in France.  They were of great value both artistically and intrinsically, and had belonged to the late Duke of Orleans.  Slade therefore, quite unjustifiably, determined to make use of one of the craft under his charge for the purpose of fetching these pictures into the country, and thus cheating the Government of its dues, which would have been very heavy in this transaction.

The way he went about it was to direct a man named Thomas Cheney, who commanded the sloop Grace (belonging to the King’s Victualling Office), to get under way and proceed a certain distance from Chatham.  After he had come out of the Medway and had reached the Nore he was to open a letter which Slade had given him, wherein he would find his instructions.  The Grace in due course hoisted sails and anchor and found herself out by the Nore.  On opening the letter, Cheney was surprised to find he was directed to proceed to Calais.  He informed the crew, who were very indignant, as they had all thought they were bound for Deptford.  So that night they put back to Sheerness and let go anchor.  The following day, with a reluctant company on board, they started off again and reached Ramsgate, where they lay all night.  On the third day they crossed the Channel and got into Calais Roads, anchored, and remained there all night.